Propranolol oral solution

What is this medicine?

PROPRANOLOL (proe PRAN oh lole) is a beta-blocker. This medicine can be used to treat high blood pressure, to slow fast heart rate, and to relieve chest pain caused by angina. It is also used to treat infantile hemangioma, relieve uncontrollable shaking (tremors), and help certain problems related to the thyroid gland and adrenal gland. This medicine is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. This medicine can be taken with or without food; small children should take this medicine with a feeding or right after a feeding. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed in children as young as 5 weeks for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• cold hands or feet

• hallucinations

• muscle cramps or weakness

• signs and symptoms of low blood sugar such as feeling anxious; confusion; dizziness; increased hunger; unusually weak or tired; sweating; shakiness; cold; irritable; headache; blurred vision; fast heartbeat; loss of consciousness

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired

• slow heart rate

• swelling of the legs and ankles

• trouble sleeping or nightmares

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance

• changes in sleep patterns (infants)

• diarrhea

• dry, sore eyes

• hair loss

• nausea

• weak or tired

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• feverfew

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• aluminum hydroxide gel

• antipyrine

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• barbiturates like phenobarbital

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• cimetidine

• ciprofloxacin

• diazepam

• fluconazole

• haloperidol

• isoniazid

• medicines for cholesterol like cholestyramine or colestipol

• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• phenytoin

• rifampin

• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

• teniposide

• theophylline

• thyroid medicines

• tolbutamide

• warfarin

• zileuton

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• circulation problems in fingers and toes

• diabetes

• poor appetite or feeding problems (infants)

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• low blood pressure

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• PHACE syndrome

• pheochromocytoma

• slow heart rate

• thyroid disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to propranolol, other beta-blockers, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure and pulse rate as directed. Ask your doctor or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be, and when you should contact him or her.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you more dizzy.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine. Learn the symptoms of low blood sugar. Do not give this medicine to small children if they are not feeding regularly or are vomiting.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or pain while you are taking this medicine without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients may increase your blood pressure.